McClay hopes bus can take him all the way

Todd McClay, National's Rotorua MP, is on the campaign trail with a bus full of supporters including Philippa Somervell. Photo / Stephen Parker

A big blue bus driving through Rotorua has attracted plenty of attention.

The National Party bus has been driving around the region, and Rotorua MP Todd McClay and dozens of his supporters were onboard yesterday.

The bus has been used in the North Island to give National MPs, candidates and supporters a chance to climb on board as the party is promoted.

Yesterday the bus made its way through Reporoa, stopping at a sports event, before heading through Te Ngae, the central city, Koutu, Fairy Springs and Ngongotaha.

Mr McClay mingled with supporters and smiled for photographs.

He said the experience had been incredibly positive and the bus attracted a lot of attention.

"It's been very positive. We've had a lot of positive feedback and reaction. Much of it feels very similar to three years ago. There hasn't been a great change in what people have been telling us," he said.

He appreciated the supporters taking the time to get behind the campaign and get on the bus, as many of them had to take time off work to do so.

Mr McClay said he and his supporters had been working extremely hard campaigning before the election, which was less than two weeks away.

"You have to work hard to earn the support of voters, that's what National MPs up and down the country have been doing," he said.

"I encourage everyone to get out there and get voting."